Kendal Town manager David Foster says he is excited for the new Evo-Stik North campaign as the Mintcakes look to improve on last season's finishing position of 12th.

It had been a difficult summer for the Pye Motors Stadium club, which once again found itself in the midst of a takeover dispute.

Once that came and went without a change of ownership and pre-season got under way, results on the pitch were positive.

Town won four of the eight fixtures they played, drawing two and losing two. Last time out against Holker Old Boys, they romped to a 6-0 victory.

"We're just looking forward to getting going now," said Foster. "Pre season is always the same, some things go well, others don't, but it's all about the first game and hopefully getting a positive result from it."

Foster's squad has experienced plenty of comings and goings during the summer. On the goings front, the player most likely to be missed is last season's team-of-the-year inductee Sam Bailey. He has left to join Lancaster City, last year's champions. He will be joined at the Giant Axe by his brother Charlie and midfielder Paul Dugdale.

Danny Forbes, Matt Poole and Dan Towers have also left the club.

On the flip side, numbers have been swelled with the arrival of 10 players, Foster added. Among them are forward Ric Seear and attacking midfielder Connor Gaul, who both arrive from Colne FC. Meanwhile, former Mintcakes midfielder Max Rothwell has made a return to Parkside Road. The former Chorley player will provide extra competition in the centre of midfield.

Elsewhere, Mike Aspin has returned to full fitness after injuries blighted his last campaign, while Charlie Bowman is also back to health after he suffered a fractured eye socket against Brighouse Town towards the end of last season.

"It's been a long process with a few out and a few in but the squad is getting there," said Foster. "We've still got a good nucleus of players who have been here a few years but the new lads are getting more confident with their jobs and their roles and playing with each other.

"In the last few games they've been a bit more settled.

"It's like that at every club though with players coming in and out, but we've maintained a good nucleus and done some good business is many regards."

Kendal start their season with two games in the space of three days. Much the same as last year, they kick off against Mossley on Saturday, albeit at home this time around, before travelling to play newly-promoted Atherton Collieries on Monday.

On the season's opening games, Foster said: "Mossley had a tough finish to the season last year but they've got two experienced managers who know what they're doing.

"They've had a pretty decent pre-season, brought one or two players in, and it always seems to be a good game against them. I'll be surprised if it finishes 0-0 but it will certainly be a challenge.

"We're just looking forward to starting now, and it will be nice to have pre season out of the way. But it will be a quick turnaround to Atherton on Monday who will be difficult opposition as well, they won their league quite comfortably last season."